Alexandria--sighting the historic Bay of Aboukir--
passing over Lake Mareotis, and plunging into the Libyan Desert. Then,
if you please, we can turn off at this point and follow the course of
the Nile, visiting the Pyramids, Memphis, Luxor, the ruins of ancient
Thebes, and all the rest of the interesting places that are to be found
on the borders of the grand old river. But I do not advise this latter
course, for the Egypt of to-day simply swarms with tourists; and I
imagine that you, Sir Reginald, are not anxious to attract that
attention to this ship of yours which it would be practically impossible
for you to avoid by following up the course of the Nile."

"You are quite right, Professor. We must avoid attention--that is to
say, the attention of civilised folk--as carefully as possible,"
answered Sir Reginald. "Besides, I think we have all done Egypt pretty
thoroughly already. Therefore I am in favour of continuing due south
into the very heart of Africa. We can penetrate into solitudes that
ordinary travellers dare not attempt to reach, and I shall be rather
surprised if we do not find ourselves amply rewarded by some very
interesting discoveries, as was the case during our last cruise.
Furthermore, there are those unicorns to be hunted for afresh. I shall
never be entirely happy until I have secured a perfect specimen or two
of those beautiful creatures."

"Ach, doze unicorns!" exclaimed von Schalckenberg, throwing out his
hands excitedly; "the very mention of them sets me longing to be after
them again. Yes--yes, we certainly must not return home until we have
obtained a few specimens of so wonderful an animal. Fortunately, the
record of our previous voyage enables us to know exactly where to search
for them."

"Quite so," assented Sir Reginald. "I think, however, Professor, that
before we proceed further we ought to ascertain from your friend,
Colonel Sziszkinski, what are his views respecting the future of himself
and his daughter. Of course, I hope it is scarcely necessary for me to
say that, as friends of yours, they are most heartily welcome to the
hospitality of the _Flying Fish_ for as long a time as they may care to
accept it; but it is just possible that the colonel may have some plan
that he would wish to put into operation without delay. In that case it
appears to me that the greatest kindness on our part would be to convey
him forthwith to the scene of his new sphere of action."

"Ach!